Root Canal Therapy
What is a Root Canal Therapy?
Technically speaking, a root canal is a space inside the center of the root that contains the pulp tissue. The pulp tissue is a developmental tissue responsible for creating our teeth roots. In children with immature teeth, it is essential to maintain healthy pulp tissue to complete the tooth's full growth and development. In adults, infected or inflamed pulp tissue can be removed without interrupting tooth development.
Root canal therapy is one of the most common dental procedures, with well over 14 million yearly. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges.
Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks, and fractures, or repeated dental procedures. The infection's symptoms can manifest as visible injury to the tooth, sensitivity to temperature, pain to biting or chewing, spontaneous pain that can radiate to the jaw or ear, or swelling in the gums or face.
If you experience these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. We would remove the injured pulp, and the root canal system would be thoroughly cleaned and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed during the consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment. We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia if indicated. You can drive home after your treatment and be comfortable returning to your regular routine.
What happens after treatment?
Upon completing your root canal therapy, we will send a record of your treatment to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office (unless otherwise instructed). Your restorative dentist will decide what restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem occurs, however, we are always available to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.
How much will it cost?
The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.